The purpose of this double blind, randomized, controlled, proof-of-concept study is to test the effects of cannabinoid receptor augmentation on the facilitation of fear conditioning. On three days over not more than two weeks, subjects will be trained to associate cues with two different stimuli, then this association will be extinguished. Cannabinoid receptor stimulation will be accomplished indirectly by harnessing the brain's capacity to endocannabinoids through the administration of an enzyme (FAAH inhibitor) that prevents degradation of anandamide. Subjects will receive placebo or the FAAH-inhibitor PF-04457845. Some details of this study have not been disclosed to preserve the study design.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
31
Acquisition of conditioning Administration of drug Extinction of conditioning
Acquisition of conditioning Administration of placebo Extinction of conditioning
VA Connecticut Healthcare System
West Haven, Connecticut, United States
Galvanic skin response
Measure of sympathetic autonomic activation
Time frame: Test days #1, #2, and #3, on average a week
Cortisol levels measured in blood
Salivary b-amylase and serum cortisol levels will be assessed as neurochemical measures of stress response.
Time frame: Test days #1, #2, and #3, on average a week
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